The Perfect Summer Playlist

Songs for lounging in the sun or a lakefront drive, chosen by industry insiders and ordered for optimum impact

By Selena Fragassi

Published May 21, 2012

TOM WINDISHOwner of The Windish Agency, an independent booking firmSong of the summer: “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye
Every radio station in the country is playing this song by Belgian-born Renaissance man Gotye. Says Windish: “It’s catchy. It’s good. Need I say more?”

MATT RUCINSTalent buyer for Schubas and Lincoln HallSongs of the summer: “Flutes” by Hot Chip and “Glorified High” by Sarah Jaffe
Can an ’80s dance ode and a Texan’s dark indie pop survive in the same summer? According to Rucins, yes. “I like my music diverse,” he says. “Pop, punk, and dance.”

COLLEEN MILLERTalent buyer for the forthcoming City WinerySongs of the summer: “Crash Test” by the Mastersons and “The Walk” by Mayer Hawthorne
Two retro songs that hark back to folk circles and old-school soul. Says Miller: “People love something that sounds new but also feels familiar.”

SAM LEWISCofounder of the Elastic Arts Foundation in Logan SquareSong of the summer: “Young, Wild and Free” by Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa ft. Bruno Mars
Says Lewis: “It’s a warm-weather classic. Summer is a time to be young, wild, and free.”

DANA MEYERSONPublicist for Biz3, which represents hip-hop and electronic bandsSong of the summer: “Open” by Rhye
“There is no doubt in my mind that some 2013 babies will come from ‘Open,’” says Meyerson. “It’s a song with strings that practically weep with joy and ooze sex. It makes you want to love and be loved.”

ZACH PARTINStaffer at React Presents, which books talent at the Congress Theatre and The MidSong of the summer: “Share My Love” by R. Kelly
If there was ever a perfect track for summer, Partin declares, “I’d have to go with this one.”

CHRIS CONNELLYMusician and Reckless Records managerSong of the summer: “All Gone White” by Disappears
“Not that anything by Disappears puts me in the mood to skip down the lakefront with a smoothie—however, the record came out recently, and it’s great for driving around to in the sweltering Chicago summer,” he says.